Running...

October 11th, 2010, 03:10 PM

Hi,
I'm 36 old and in full mode preparations for BCT / OSUT (shipping out to Fort Benning in mid Jan. 2011). Now my 2 mile running times are all over the map. My best is 15:30 and worst 16:49 with average time slightly over 16:00. So question is, what should i start doing to be more consistent. Right now I'm running every other day. I don't have any muscles pains or anything like this. It almost looks like i need to improve my cardio...any tips are welcome...

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I just want to improve to 13:00 so i can put some youngsters to shame...;-)...or avoid being overrun by them...

Don't worry about them, you're scored on different age groups so it's ok to run slower than them. Run on the road or sidewalk once or twice a week to know how it feels and keep your body acclimated... but don't overdo it. It's actually really bad for your knees and lower back. the elipitical is a great machine, as well as the bike. less stress on the knees, keeps the breathing and lungs good to go!

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I always find it funny how the "old" guys try so hard to look good in front of the "young" guys. Let me tell you something.....us "young" guys don't care! We don't! It's not as competitive out there as you think.

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Ha, ha, ha...well for now it looks like i must buy new running shoes. After few weeks of intense training my NB's are literally falling a part. I wish i still have a receipt with me...i guess i wasnt expecting the bottom of the shoe to seperate so quickly...

Nice. What running shoes you are using now (if i may ask)? I have to buy new ones...i guess they will force me to buy new running shoes at Fort Benning anyhow, but i need something to continue my training now...

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I just want to improve to 13:00 so i can put some youngsters to shame...;-)...or avoid being overrun by them...

I was the same way when I went to OSUT. I was at 14:00 when I left for Benning. I thought no problem with getting down to 12:00, little did I know I was going to sprain both knees in the first week. The pain was **** near unbearable for over a month. I fought through, no sick call, but was only able to get to 12:59. I run three times a week. Mix in longer distances with 60-120's and keep pushing. It will drop. But, it will be slow once you hit your plateau.

I always find it funny how the "old" guys try so hard to look good in front of the "young" guys. Let me tell you something.....us "young" guys don't care! We don't! It's not as competitive out there as you think.

All I know is that I was in the top 10% of my company for PT score and believe me it was competitive. The young guys constantly gave shiat to the old guys who couldn't hang and to me as well when my knees were all F'd up. It was competitive to the point that after our last APFT they did another for the top 10% the next morning to get the #1 guy (340). My score was a 290. Nothing great I know, especially considering I had a 291 before I left. That's what happens to us old guys with our bad knees. Brings back horrible memories... LOL..

Prior to that I did a combination of 1-2 mile runs for time, and wind sprints.

When I started my training last December, I hadn't done any running for a year and a half and had been smoking a pack a day during that time, along with a terrible diet and nutrition - my weight was within limits but I was knocking back energy drinks and fast food way too much. Initially I had difficult just making it past 3/4 mile, but now am getting similar run times to yours and my cardio has improved immensely.